The Sibambisene Foundation is a non-profit organisation that was founded in 2017.
It was founded with the main goal of giving to students attending Tvet colleges and universities who come from poor backgrounds, not just from the community of Alex but also the surrounding communities. Their number one goal is to alleviate poverty, health-related issues such as HIV/Aids, TB, alcohol and substance abuse, gender-based violence, crime prevention and social injustice, through educational programmes.
A campaign, #FeedtheHomeless was started with the objective of feeding the homeless people in Johannesburg. Secretary-general of the foundation Linda Mbatha said this was done on a daily basis. “We don’t just feed them but help them to provide for themselves by bettering their livelihoods so that they can be contributing members of our societies. We are grateful for the support we get from the Angel Networks and the South African Jewish Board of Deputies for making this programme a success,” added Mbatha.
Mbatha said they have another campaign, #Feedachild which they hosted from 22 February until 27 February.
“The objective of this campaign was to feed children in the afternoons because they attend school the whole day. Some start the day on an empty stomach and only have their first meal at lunch which normally isn’t enough for them. This is why it was important for us to prepare cooked meals so that they can have them in the afternoon and the evening, not only for those who attend schools but also for those who don’t attend as well.”
Mbatha added that many parents had lost their jobs and could not provide for their families and the Sibambisene Foundation team managed to feed about 400 children and 95 parents daily.
“In total, we managed to provide 2 475 cooked meals in a week. We are requesting everyone to participate in the #Feedachild programme. We want to provide food to everyone who is in need even if you are not in Alexandra. To do that we need donations, so we welcome any kind of donations,” said Mbatha.
Mbatha added that all communities had been affected so they have assisted residents of Alex, Tembisa, Soweto, Orange Farm and Johannesburg inner- city.
“This initiative is not only important to us but the entire society, especially those we have reached out to. Giving back is more of a calling than an initiative, by helping the people we also help the world become a better and place for our kids and generations to come.”
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